Thursday, May 21, 2015

Shabby birdbath

Start by glueing a terra cotta bottom to the pot with Elmer's, Tacky
glue or any general craft glue. You can use tall or short pots, but the
"Bath" needs to be a bit larger than what would fit the bottom of a pot.
So, if you buy a 6" pot, then buy an 8" bottom tray. Make sense ?

Next I mix up some paint. ( Acrylic ) I cant stand the hot, bright pinks
they sell, so I always make my own by adding lots of white acrylic
paint to the stores brand of pink. Brush on THREE coats, letting dry
between each coat. I do not prime, or spray the pots first and you will
see why next.

A Sweet n' Shabby Birdbath....................I like to use them to fill with potpourri, but they could be used as decorative soap holders as well as candle holders.

Start
by glueing a terra cotta bottom to the pot with Elmer's, Tacky glue or
any general craft glue. You can use tall or short pots, but the "Bath"
needs to be a bit larger than what would fit the bottom of a pot. So,
if you buy a 6" pot, then buy an 8" bottom tray. Make sense ?Next
I mix up some paint. ( Acrylic ) I cant stand the hot, bright pinks
they sell, so I always make my own by adding lots of white acrylic paint
to the stores brand of pink. Brush on THREE coats, letting dry between
each coat. I do not prime, or spray the pots first and you will see why
next.After
my pot is dry, I shabby it up with 220 grit sand paper. When it is to
your liking , use a wet cloth and wipe it down really well. At this
point I seal it. You can do this with a brush on Acrylic Clear Sealer,
or a clear spray paint ( water based ) I opt for the spray personally.
When I was taught years ago to Tole Paint, I was told Brush strokes are a
no-no. The smoother the painting the better, so that is how I paint
today. However, since this is supposed to be chippy and shabby, get as
sloppy as you want. It is a "Cant go wrong " Project :) :) :)

So
now you want to gather your Doo Dads for embellishing. Every Bird bath
needs a Bird. :) I always have wee Bird in a nest on the rim of the
bath. You can use dried moss and roll it into a ball, hot glue it on and
then "Fluff" it up a bit. I used tiny paper shred on mine.

So,
Now you have your base to add the flowers. I added vintage lily of the
valley, honeysuckle and vintage pink posies. To this I added new pink
roses and pink forget me nots.